Nashua, New Hampshire (CNN) - Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty must do well in an upcoming Iowa straw poll, his wife said Tuesday, telling CNN she is "cautiously optimistic" about his prospects in that contest.

"He needs to move from where he's been and show significant progress, but I'm reasonably confident we're going to see that good progress," said Mary Pawlenty of her husband's chances in the Ames straw poll August 13th.
For weeks the Republican candidate has spent precious time and campaign dollars shoring up support in Iowa in advance of the straw poll, an event which draws heavy media attention and could be a game changer in the former governor's efforts to secure the GOP nomination.

Meanwhile Mrs. Pawlenty, a former Minnesota district judge whose role on the bench kept her from campaigning in her husband's gubernatorial campaigns, took on the role of political spouse in New Hampshire this week at events with voters.

At a tour of a new YMCA facility in Nashua, Pawlenty raved about the giant swimming pool and a locker room designed for parents with small children. Watching a row of joggers sweating on treadmills, the lithe former judge said ruefully that she needed to spend more time at the gym.

Mrs. Pawlenty also spent time meeting with local GOP heavy hitters about her husband's 2012 effort.

soundoff(10 Responses)

ConservaFASCISTS/Dutch, Bad Newz, VA

"He needs to move from where he's been and show significant progress, but I'm reasonably confident we're going to see that good progress,"
-------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure if she's referring to his sex life, his hockey game or his campaign. I bet he sucks at all three.

August 2, 2011 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |

GEORGIA TEE

The wife of 2 % Timmy see's the writing on the wall !

August 2, 2011 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

thomas

I would vote for her before I'd vote for Him !

They both wear too much red , such an angry color !

August 2, 2011 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

Lost in Texas FOREVER

he needs to go back to Minnesota and help clean up the mess he left there for the people of that state. Maybe he can send the Missus out to tangle with Bachmann. Either way his campaign is on life support.

August 2, 2011 05:02 pm at 5:02 pm |

Rick McDaniel

She's wayyyyyy more optimistic, than I am, about his chances. I place him in the "extremist" column, and cannot support that, in the leader of this country.

August 2, 2011 06:24 pm at 6:24 pm |

NVa Native

So his wife wants him to be progressive? Pawlease.............hahahaha

August 2, 2011 06:37 pm at 6:37 pm |

Randy, San Francisco

The wrong Pawlenty is running. Mrs. Pawlenty has more political savy than her husband.

August 2, 2011 06:53 pm at 6:53 pm |

Squigman

Go home. Be thankful you've been allowed to run loose, as long as you have been doing. Most people this delusional, are institutionalized for their own well being.

August 2, 2011 07:01 pm at 7:01 pm |

Claudia, Houston, Tx

Tim Pawlenty is an attorney and his wife is a judge, interesting how water seeks it's own level. Take for instance, Sarah Palin is undereducated and her husband Todd is uneducated, see how water seeks it's own level.